Discovery Channel's flagship science show Daily Planet offers background and context on the Kaguya mission at 7 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT, just before we reveal this stunning HD footage for the first time in North America.

In the last century, scientific research has expanded our knowledge of the moon, its lunar orbit and its close connection with Earth -- and the images of the moon, and of our own planet from its vantage point, continues to inspire. Launched on September 14, 2007, the Japanese Kaguya mission will gather new information about the origin and evolution of the moon to further develop the technology for future exploration.

Over the course of a year, a collection of satellites -- the Kaguya lunar probe and two sub-satellites -- will orbit Earth and the moon gathering remarkable pictures and data for aerospace experts.

For the first time, these new images of the moon will be captured in High Definition. Tomorrow, Wed., Nov. 14, Discovery Channel and Discovery HD will be the first to broadcast these stunning new images in North America.

The HD special

In partnership with Japanese broadcaster NHK (in association with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Association) -- which will air a live special earlier in the day -- Discovery HD will showcase Return to the Moon: The First Images, a 30-minute special to air at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

Showcasing these spectacular never-before-seen images, Daily Planet's Jay Ingram will introduce the special which also features experts from NHK's earlier broadcast -- including Alan Bean, a former NASA Astronaut weighing in via satellite from New York; and Dr. Junichi Watanabe, an expert at the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan -- who will dissect the images and discuss the objectives of Kaguya mission in greater detail.

This footage is expected to reveal a captivating new glimpse of Earth rising, as seen from the Moon's vantage point.

"This remarkable broadcast is a brilliant showcase for High Definition television and the result of a very successful long-term partnership with NHK, the world leaders in HD technology," says Paul Lewis, President and General Manager, Discovery Channel.

The Daily Planet preview

Prior to the Discovery HD special, Daily Planet will offer a detailed examination of the Kaguya mission, at 7 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT on Discovery Channel.

Join co-hosts Jay Ingram and Kim Jagtiani to see how the probe works, what it will do and why it's important for our growing understanding of the moon. This special episode of Daily Planet will showcase historic images of Earth from space -- see how these iconic images, including Earth Rise 1968 Apollo 8, Blue Marble Apollo 17, Pale Blue Dog Voyager 1990 and even a shot from a Mars robot too -- have changed the world, and how new camera technology can virtually put the world into the hands to today's astronauts.

This episode will feature an interview with Dr. Roberta Bondar, now a renowned photographer, who has taken her own shots from space.

Also planned for this episode, discover what lunar missions are currently orbiting the moon or in the works -- including the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, set to launch in October 2008 -- and why the moon remains a critical focus of space exploration.